Governor: New Mexico school shooting victim on respirator

ALBUQUERQUE - Gov. Susana Martinez has identified the boy shot on the face and neck at a New Mexico middle school and says he's on a respirator and is heavily sedated.

Martinez said Thursday that Nathaniel Tavarez remains in critical condition at a Lubbock, Texas, hospital and that doctors have repaired slight damage to his heart.

Earlier reports had Nathaniel's age at 11, but the governor says he's 12. Martinez said earlier she wouldn't identify the boy until his family said it was OK.

School officials say counselors will be available Thursday for Berrendo Middle School students to talk about Tuesday's shooting. Nathaniel and 13-year-old Kendal Sanders were hurt, and a school staffer suffered minor injuries.

Martinez said during a news conference in Las Cruces after noon on Thursday that Sanders is doing well and is in surgery to repair a damaged nerve.

Tavarez is "not doing as well as Kendal," Martinez said.

The suspected shooter, identified in media reports as Mason Campbell, has been charged with three juvenile counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.